Apple Urges Arizona Governor Jan Brewer To Veto Anti-Gay Bill

Apple has been urging Arizona Governor Jan Brewer to dismiss a bill that would allow business owners to use their religious beliefs as a reason to deny any services to gays and lesbians. Last week the bill was passed and has been since heavily criticized for discriminating against gays.

The Cupertino-based tech giant has been speaking out against the bill since they now conduct business in the state. Late last year, Apple announced plans to open a manufacturing plant in Mesa Arizona. Sources have reported that the plant will be used to manufacture the displays for the company’s next iPhone.

The manufacturing plan in Arizona will be used for building sapphire displays, which could be for the company’s next-generation iPhone or possibly the iWatch. The factory will create more than 2,000 jobs in engineering and construction. This new plant will run on 100% renewable energy from day one.

An Apple spokeswoman confirmed that the company reached out to Brewer about vetoing Arizona SB 1062.

In November, Apple CEO Tim Cook wrote an editorial pushing the U.S. government to approve the anti-gay discrimination bill. At the time, Cook wrote:

“So long as the law remains silent on the workplace rights of gay and lesbian Americans, we as a nation are effectively consenting to discrimination against them,”

Last year, Apple was among several tech companies who applauded the Supreme Court after it ruled in favour of marriage equality.

A software engineer with a passion for creation and innovation using technology. To learn more about me, check out my personal website, which contains links to my projects. Email: nick@iphoneincanada.ca

Absolutely horrible that such a thing is being even suggest, wtf america. Also “bill was past” should be changed to passed.

Chrome262

Arizona is almost a country on its own. I mean if you live there and just do your thing you don’t notice much. For the most part the government leaves you alone. but it will do crazy crap like this, mostly because a huge part of the populations is old retired people (no daylight savings, for example). Its similar to Toronto in that Ford might actually win re-election because of the amount of people over 60 who vote for him. They also have a huge Native population, who are really outspoken for native issues (like not allowed to use manufactured snow for skiing on a particular sacred mountain, only natural), but remind silent on issues like this. They do have a big tourist industry, and if this threatens that look to the governor to veto, and they do want Apple there. I suspect though that it could be ruled unconstitutional if they keep it up.

m Arch Tom’s on Bar N Ass

why should we give’em the same rights ? they don’t pay same taxes for most are hairdressers, make -up artists and wardrobe assistants , hiding with “under the table” work and still ignorant, they don’t even work with a NO PROFIT ORG. pattern. marc

JMCD23

What a disgusting comment.

m Arch Tom’s on Bar N Ass

@JMCD23:disqus SHORT ANSWER. after all arizona isn’t planning to deny work opportunities to gay and lesbians and we all have that option to choose our own clients. (i.e: these days i would never accept a job offer with apple inc. for apple inc, appear to serve a consumer market segment that i don’t want as a client, according to marketing strategy analysis and evaluation )_ marc